Zharmakhan Tuyakbai (file photo) (RFE/RL)
July 19, 2006 -- Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, the leader of the opposition For A Just Kazakhstan movement, today called for the creation of a new social democratic party.

Tuyakbai, who ran unsuccessfully in last year's presidential elections, said his movement's status as a civic organization does not allow it to adequately express the political opinions of its members.

Tuyakbai said he does not expect that all of the country's opposition parties and movements would join the new party, but said all would be welcome.

Tuyakbai claims his For A Just Kazakhstan bloc has some 300,000 members.

Earlier this month, the pro-presidential Asar party joined the ruling Otan party, creating a party with a membership of some 700,000.